The 2023 Art Exhibition
Saturday 15th April to Sunday 23rd April
Spring is just around the corner which means for nine days every April the Orangery is filled with the wonderful works of art being displayed in The Friends of Holland Park Art Exhibition. I am always amazed and delighted with the quality and variety of the work and I am excited to see what the artists have produced this year.
This year’s Feature Artist is Pauline Rafal, who was one of last year’s prize winners. Pauline develops pen and ink drawings into linocuts and artists books inspired by poetry and music, as well as themes based around memories, daydreaming and the experience of change. I have always admired the artworks entered by Pauline and am really looking forward to giving everyone a more in-depth look at her work.
Could all artists please remember to have their completed forms, showing details of all their exhibits, to me by Friday 17th March. To do this, they must already be a member and have registered to exhibit (see form enclosed with the newsletter). If you have been thinking about entering, do it! There is still time, and we would love for you to join us.
See you in the Orangery.
Gordon French
ART EXHIBITION 2023 TIMETABLE
Friday, 17 March Final date for artist exhibit details forms to be received to allow catalogue listing
Friday, 14 April Artists deliver artworks to the Orangery, Holland Park, 8.30-11am
All artists will be required to sign the catalogue to certify that all details are correct
Friday, 14 April Hanging and judging, 11am – 6pm
Saturday,15 April to Sunday, 23 April Exhibition opens to the public over 9 days.
ENTRY TO VISIT EXHIBITION FREE OF CHARGE. 10.30am-6pm
Sunday, 23 April Artist and buyers collect works, 6.15 – 7pm
[February 2023]
2023 Art Exhibition
It gives me great pleasure to announce The Friends of Holland Park Art Exhibition 2023, for which artist registration opens on
1 December 2022. Last Spring we had an extremely successful exhibition, and I am keen to continue to build on that. The enthusiasm displayed by our artists and visitors reinforced my feeling that the exhibition has become an important part of our community.
I always try to improve the exhibition and promote the rich creativity that artists brings to each show. Next year, the winner of one of the judged categories will be selected as Feature Artist for the following year’s exhibition. This will connect the years and give the artist ample time to prepare work to be displayed on the Feature Artist panel. We are extremely fortunate to have The Orangery for our nine-day exhibition. It is a beautiful space to showcase our artists as well as raising money for our charity.
The conditions of entry are as before: Friends who are artists, and artists who become Friends, are invited to exhibit up to ten works: two framed works to hang on the walls, and up to eight unframed works for display in the browser stands, the latter with a maximum size of 70cm x 100cm (including card mounts, but no wooden mounts). Friends are also invited to exhibit up to ten three-dimensional objects such as ceramics, glassware and small sculptures, or enter the mini-market of small works on offer at £40 and under. This includes cards and craft items. The minimum sale price for works in the main exhibition will be £50.
Friends interested in exhibiting in the art exhibition, the Mini-Market, or both, need to register and pay £15 entry fee before they receive the artist exhibit forms. The easiest way to register and pay is online HERE on our website. REGISTRATION OPENS on 1 DECEMBER. Artists who have registered for the main exhibition may include works in the Mini-Market at no additional cost. Please register as soon as possible, as space is limited.
Information about the exhibition is available here on the website or from me, Gordon French, 19 Kensington Court Place London W8 5BJ; telephone 020 7937 7222; email: gordon.l.french@gmail.com All the information regarding the 2023 exhibition, Feature Artist and sponsorship will be detailed at the end of February.
Let’s have another great exhibition, and we look forward to seeing you in The Orangery.
Gordon French
[November 2022]
ART EXHIBITION 2023 TIMETABLE
Thursday, 1 December Artist Registration opens
Friday, 17 March Final date for artist exhibit details forms to be received to allow catalogue listing
Friday, 14 April Artists deliver artworks to the Orangery, Holland Park, 8.30-11am
All artists will be required to sign the catalogue to certify that all details are correct
Friday, 14 April Hanging and judging, 11am – 6pm
Saturday, 15 April Exhibition opens to the public over 9 days.
to
Sunday, 23 April ENTRY TO VISIT EXHIBITION FREE OF CHARGE. 10.30am-6pm
Sunday, 23 April Artist and buyers collect works, 6.15 – 7pm
2022
What a wonderful Art Exhibition!
After a two-year absence there were some concerns as we were all out of practice. No need to worry, the team effort kicked in from the outset with idverde and the initial set up including the introduction of the plant and floral display. Artist check-in went smoothly, the hanging team did a superb job and by Friday evening we were set to go.
On Saturday morning Mother Nature also stepped in to provide us with the beautiful weekend. We had excellent footfall throughout the entire exhibition; artists and visitors were genuinely delighted to be back in the Orangery. Throughout the exhibition many artists arranged to meet their buyers, family and friends to show their work as well as enjoy the entire exhibition. This was very successful, particularly as visitors always enjoy meeting the artists in person.
Overall sales were over £14,000 and our previous record in 2017 had been £11,600. 71 works from the main exhibition were sold, up from 61 in 2019. In all, of 39 artists, 58% sold something compared with 50% at the 2019 exhibition. A huge thank you to you the artists, the standard was incredibly high and it was reflected in the sales over the 9 days. The spirit of the exhibition was captured by our Feature Artist Annie Leach’s beautiful contemporary botanical works from catalogue cover, posters through to her hung work display.
The Orangery is booked for April 2023, and we are looking forward to doing it all again. A huge thanks must go to our sponsor, Ilchester Estates, who continued to support the Friends. Volunteers were many and their contribution invaluable, ensuring the smooth running of the exhibition, from those who helped with stewarding, artist check delivery and collection, Mini Market, artist sale reconciliation, payments and much more, so thank you! In particular, I would like to thank my wife Sandra and daughter Alex who organise the exhibition.
Gordon French
[June 2022]